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Kramer vs. Kramer

Play trailer 1:32 Poster for Kramer vs. Kramer PG 1979 1h 44m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
90% Tomatometer 101 Reviews 89% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
On the same day Manhattan advertising executive Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) lands the biggest account of his career, he learns that his wife, Joanna (Meryl Streep), is leaving him and their young son, Billy (Justin Henry). Forced to raise his son alone, Ted loses his job but gains a stronger relationship with the child with the help of another single parent, Margaret (Jane Alexander). When Joanna returns to claim custody of Billy, the ensuing court battle takes a toll on everyone concerned.
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Kramer vs. Kramer

Kramer vs. Kramer

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Critics Consensus

The divorce subject isn't as shocking, but the film is still a thoughtful, well-acted drama that resists the urge to take sides or give easy answers.

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Critics Reviews

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Michael Blowen Boston Globe 08/05/2022
Hoffman, Streep and Henry persuade you that they are "real" people in a "real" situation, and that is a rare phenomenon in contemporary movies. Go to Full Review
Michael Maza Arizona Republic 08/05/2022
In concept, in casting, but especially in execution, it is easily the year's most successful motion picture and probably one of the decade's. In assessing credit one hardly knows where to begin. Go to Full Review
Gene Siskel Chicago Tribune 08/05/2022
4/4
Kramer vs. Kramer never loses its low-key, realistic touch. You will sit at the end of the film wondering why we don't see more pictures like this. Go to Full Review
Nick Rogers Midwest Film Journal 06/22/2024
4/5
The film remains a masterclass in marital (and masculine) anxiety, with precisely observed details across the board. Go to Full Review
Mark Johnson Awards Daily 06/27/2023
Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman are extraordinary in this timely tale of marital divorce and the problematic battles of child custody. Go to Full Review
David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 01/22/2023
3.5/4
...a solid drama that benefits substantially from the top-tier efforts of its various performers... Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Zane T 4d A very emotional film that will leave you in mostly tears. It's also very well acted and boy do you feel sorrow when you always hear Hoffman saying "I'm alright" with a smile on his face because you know that's not true. See more Amirtaha N Aug 14 My first lead Hoffman performance and I am officially a fan. Justin Henry probably gives one of the best child performances of all time. Streep has less screen-time than I expected but she's phenomenal nonetheless. The screenplay and editing are so perfect and work together flawlessly; for a divorce movie it's surprisingly watchable and light and the exact simplicity of it all makes the emotions hit MUCH harder. The nude scene was hilarious and performed to perfection by both actors. The ice cream scene is crazy in how quickly it snaps from comedy to dead serious and it feels fully natural. The hospital scene? Heartbreaking. Hoffman's monologue to Justin Henry about why his mom left him? Devastating. Streep's court monologue? Real powerful stuff. My only gripe would be more of Meryl and her side of the argument. I'm not saying her performance doesn't sell it, but a bit more of her would have made the court scenes hit even harder. Up until the point her character re-enters the film it was an absolute homerun; but after she comes back to the frame it just feel like a big chunk of the movie that should be there in the third act is missing. Apart from less-than-expected Streep, this is almost perfect. Definitely a must-watch; I'm this close to bumping it up to 4.5 See more Phillip M Jun 17 I don't know how I got to my mid 50s before watching this film. It's heartbreaking and honest and expresses a story that is as much played out today as it was in 1979. A classic. See more john h Jun 1 Kramer vs Kramer's ultimate resolution leaves an unsatisfying taste in the mouth, abruptly ending with its carefree conclusion. The scenes of Ted Kramer's relationship with his son creates a feeling of genuine care but a lack of care for his own heath, reflecting back onto his son. It is overall one of those quirky romantic classics. See more paul w Feb 11 Rewatched Kramer vs Kramer last night. A movie I enjoy. I've changed my mind on one aspect. It's clear to me now that the Streep character is selfish and narcissistic. It would not be surprising if she suffered from Borderline Personality Disorder. Once she won the court decision, she realizes that she'll be tied down raising the child which will lead her back to the pain she had escaped. So the ending is not only not surprising, it was the only possible realistic ending. See more alan g @agenser Feb 11 A very sad and thoughtful film. Destructive couple but Dustin Hoffbrau still one trick pony. See more Read all reviews
Kramer vs. Kramer

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Kramer vs. Kramer

Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - Change of Heart Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - Change of Heart 2:13 Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - Were You A Failure? Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - Were You A Failure? 2:02 Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - Ted's Plea Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - Ted's Plea 2:11 Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - Billy Acts Out Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - Billy Acts Out 2:09 Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - I Want My Son Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - I Want My Son 2:09 Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - I'm His Mother Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - I'm His Mother 2:02 Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - Making French Toast Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - Making French Toast 2:10 Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - I'm Leaving You Kramer vs. Kramer: Official Clip - I'm Leaving You 2:12 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis On the same day Manhattan advertising executive Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) lands the biggest account of his career, he learns that his wife, Joanna (Meryl Streep), is leaving him and their young son, Billy (Justin Henry). Forced to raise his son alone, Ted loses his job but gains a stronger relationship with the child with the help of another single parent, Margaret (Jane Alexander). When Joanna returns to claim custody of Billy, the ensuing court battle takes a toll on everyone concerned.
Director
Robert Benton
Producer
Stanley R. Jaffe
Screenwriter
Avery Corman, Robert Benton
Distributor
Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 19, 1979, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 16, 2012
Runtime
1h 44m
Sound Mix
Mono
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